Yoon Jooho’s fan cafe, Yoon Gyeolho, had prepared lunchboxes.
Because of that, the staff were all in high spirits. They chatted excitedly about the most extravagant food trucks or lunchboxes they had ever tried on set.
“We’ve reserved the Village Hall! Please head over there! The parking lot is small, so actors, please try to come in one car if possible!”
At the youngest member of the directing team’s announcement, everyone began moving busily.
Shin Hyojin and Song Hyunsoo, who had just finished their scene, left the house of the Lee siblings, Lee Sol and Lee San, along with Director Jung Joonhee and the assistant director.
“The actor Yoon Jooho’s fan club sent lunchboxes?”
Director Jung Joonhee asked, and Shin Hyojin replied.
“Yes, director. Originally, they wanted to send a food truck, but there wasn’t enough space around here to set up a tent that big. Also, the weather is still too cold. When we mentioned that, they decided to send lunchboxes instead.”
“That’s really thoughtful of them.”
As the two talked amicably, walking side by side, Song Hyunsoo unconsciously looked up.
Today, Yoon Jooho’s Sprinter was slowly stopping right at the entrance of the alley.
Hyunsoo clenched a hot pack tightly inside his padded jacket pocket.
“Oh? Senior Yoon came this way instead of going straight to the Village Hall.”
Shin Hyojin said brightly to the director.
The door of the Sprinter opened, and the first to jump out was Han Jooyoung. Yoon Jooho followed behind her.
“When did those two become so close? They used to fight so much at first.”
Shin Hyojin playfully tapped Song Hyunsoo’s arm with a chuckle. Hyunsoo just gave an awkward smile.
The two who got out of the car approached them. The distance between them grew smaller, and Hyunsoo’s gaze scattered everywhere as if not knowing where to look.
Whether fortunate or unfortunate, there hadn’t been many overlapping scenes with Yoon Jooho this week, so they hadn’t seen each other properly, which only heightened the awkwardness.
On top of that, Hyunsoo had heard a rumor that a few days ago, Yoon Jooho had ‘stormed’ into Seo Hae’s house.
“His eyes were wild as he opened every door, causing a huge commotion.”
Seo Hae’s voice on the phone was more excited than Hyunsoo’s.
“You should’ve seen that yesterday, Hyunsoo. That guy even grabbed me by the collar.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Seo Hae clicked his tongue bitterly.
“But since he apologized, I guess he’s not completely hated?”
Well, yes. Considering what Yoon Jooho did to Hae, why did I find myself saying sorry without even realizing it? Even I thought it was ridiculous, and I smirked.
“That guy didn’t even say sorry, right?”
“He’s that kind of person.”
Hyunsoo smiled bitterly in reply.
“Believe it or not, Yoon Jooho is scared of you, Hyunsoo.”
“Someone like Senior Jooho scared of me?”
“Yoon Jooho doesn’t just fool around with guys; he’s never seriously dated anyone. He’s never even thought about that kind of thing.”
So it was true that he had never dated a guy before…
“I told you last time, right? He’s never cared whether his partner lives in a drafty old rooftop or not.”
Seo Hae took a breath, hesitating as if unsure whether to say more, then added with a sigh.
“I’m talking about including Jung Jin.”
Hyunsoo seemed to understand. During the years when Yoon Jooho and Jung Jin had been ‘close,’ Jung Jin had lived in that shabby lodging. Yet Yoon Jooho never seemed to care or meddle.
Still, Hyunsoo lowered his head and shook it.
“No matter what happened with Jung Jin in the past, I honestly wasn’t angry because of that.”
“I know. He lies, deceives, and not only that, he gets angrier than anyone and builds walls to defend himself.”
Both Bang Manager and Seo Hae knew well how Yoon Jooho acted in those situations, as if they had witnessed it themselves. Only Yoon Jooho himself was unaware.
“He’s never had a normal romantic relationship at his age. Of course, there are plenty of people around him who approach him first, seduce him, and treat him well. If Yoon Jooho likes them, he might date them, but he never gives his whole heart. Once the person waiting for his feelings to deepen gets tired and leaves, it’s over.”
Seo Hae sighed deeply, saying he didn’t know why he was so worked up over a relationship that wasn’t even his own, then clicked his tongue and continued.
“What I’m trying to say is—”
“……”
“He really doesn’t know how to handle a relationship with someone he truly loves.”
“You never said anything like that, senior.”
“What do you mean?”
“Words like ‘I love you’ or anything like that.”
“You know, Hyunsoo.”
“……”
“Yoon Jooho has always said it through his actions, not words. That he loves you.”
That was true. His gaze and touch, the hugs and kisses—none of it was lacking. That was why, even without the words, Hyunsoo had never realized he was hungry for love.
But words held a power greater than expected. Even knowing the words were insincere, every jab hurt.
“Still, don’t let it slide this time. Not at all.”
Seo Hae was firm.
“No matter how much he shows it through actions, he needs to fix the way he talks. And stop locking himself in rooms and hiding whenever he feels like it.”
“Maybe senior’s thinking of drifting apart like this.”
Hyunsoo’s words were met with a confident scoff from Seo Hae.
“Believe me. Yoon Jooho will never give up on you, Hyunsoo. So just keep your mouth open and wait for the persimmon to fall. Don’t shake the tree first. Got it?”
Will that really happen?
If I just leave things as they are, will Yoon Jooho reform himself and put a persimmon in my mouth? Does he like me that much?
A few steps ahead, Yoon Jooho’s face looked sharper in the growing darkness.
“Director, shall we move together in my car?”
“Did you come to pick me up on purpose?”
“No, I stopped by on the way.”
“Wow, am I finally getting to ride in the famous Senior Yoon’s Sprinter?”
“There’s nothing it doesn’t have,” Shin Hyojin added cheerfully. It didn’t feel like Hyunsoo could slip away and move in his own car alone. Reluctantly, he climbed into the Sprinter along with the others.
The two seats in the second row were turned to face the third row seats. Director Jung Joonhee and Yoon Jooho sat in the second row, while the other three sat side by side in the third.
“How was the shoot?”
Han Jooyoung, who had been resting back at the lodging after filming a scene, asked curiously.
“It was really fun.”
“You had the scene where you fought with Hyunsoo, right?”
“Yeah, both of us were totally immersed. All three takes got approved.”
“All three takes?”
Han Jooyoung looked surprised and glanced at Director Jung Joonhee opposite her.
“Now the hard part is deciding which take to use during editing.”
Director Jung shrugged as if in trouble but looked pleased.
“I kept coming up with ideas nonstop. Right, Hyunsoo?”
“Yes, the shoot was fun.”
As the youngest on set, Hyunsoo just nodded along to the seniors’ and director’s conversation. But naturally, he was dying inside.
He used the excuse of discussing the script during breaks to spend time alone with Yoon Jooho. It was right here that Jooho had rested his head on his lap and closed his eyes.
The sensation of Jooho’s fluttering eyelashes still lingered on his palm. Yet now, even making eye contact with him felt uncomfortable.
Still, his gaze kept meeting Jooho’s.
Yoon Jooho, sitting diagonally across from him, didn’t stare blatantly enough to make others uncomfortable, but he naturally kept looking at Hyunsoo from time to time.
Wasn’t he uncomfortable too? Was I the only one feeling awkward? Or was he doing this on purpose to make me uneasy?
“San’s adapting well on set, better than I worried about. Thanks to Kang taking care of him?”
Director Jung smiled as he looked between Yoon Jooho beside him and Song Hyunsoo across from him.
“Are you really going to live together?”
At the director’s question, Yoon Jooho deliberately fixed his gaze on Hyunsoo.
“Shall we really try it, director?”
Leaning forward, resting his elbows on his thighs, Yoon Jooho kept his eyes locked on Hyunsoo and rubbed his mouth with his lips. Then he added.
“If the director permits, I can even cohabit in my room.”
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